Tab"by (?), n.; pl. Tabbies (#). [F. tabis (cf. It. tabì, Sp. & Pg. tabí, LL. attabi), fr. Ar. 'attAbI, properly the name of a quarter of Bagdad where it was made, the quarter being named from the prince Attab, great grandson of Omeyya. Cf. Tobine.]
1.
A kind of waved silk, usually called watered silk, manufactured like taffeta, but thicker and stronger. The watering is given to it by calendering.
2.
A mixture of lime with shells, gravel, or stones, in equal proportions, with an equal proportion of water. When dry, this becomes as hard as rock. Weale.
3.
A brindled cat; hence, popularly, any cat.
4.
An old maid or gossip. [Colloq.] Byron.
© Webster 1913
Tab"by (?), a.
1.
Having a wavy or watered appearance; as, a tabby waistcoat. Pepys.
2.
Brindled; diversified in color; as, a tabby cat.
Tabby moth (Zoöl.), the grease moth. See under Grease.
© Webster 1913
Tab"by, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tabbied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Tabbying (?).]
To water; to cause to look wavy, by the process of calendering; to calender; as, to tabby silk, mohair, ribbon, etc.
© Webster 1913